Rotary engine.



No. 803,275. PATBNTED 00T. 31, 1905.

J. A. EATON. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED BECA, 1903. y

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

lll'

PATENTED OCT. 3l, 1905.

J. A. EATON. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEo.4,19os.

5 SHEETS--SHBET 2.

No. 803,275. PATENTED OCT. 31, 1905. J. A. BATON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DBOJL, 1903.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0. 803,275. PAT'ENTED OCT. 31, 1905. J. A. EATON. ROTARY ENGINE.v APPLIoATIoN FILED DBO 4 1903 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

@Ma @y /f 10.803,275. K PATBNTED octr.s1,19o5.

J.A.BAT0N.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.4,1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. EATON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES M. SECKNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1905.

Application led December 4, 1903. Serial No. 183,792.

T0 @ZZ Lu/mm it 77ml/ concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. EATON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago,county of Cook,and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eX- Vact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciiication.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary engines of that class provided with a continuously-traveling piston or the like.

Heretofore in many types of engines of the class it has been necessary to provide a separate engine for reverse as well as for direct movement instead of so constructing a single engine as to operate in either direction.

The object of this invention is to provide an engine of strong and durable construction and comparatively light weight and so constructed as to present all the advantages of a reciprocating engine without the disadvantages of the same-namely, the reciprocation of the pistons-and constructed to secure the most effective action of the steam both directly and expansively.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for readily reversing the engine when desired.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more fully pointed out and defined'in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite side of the engine, showing the main shaft in section and the balance-wheel omitted. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the circular cylinder of the engine, showing the same detached from the frame. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a face view of the cylinder and revolving piston, showing one side of the cylinder removed. Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section of the cylinder and rotating head therein. Fig. 8 is an end view of the revolving head, showing the rim on which the same is carried in section. Fig.

9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same. Fig. 10 is a section on line 1() 10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the governing-valve and showing parts in elevation. Fig. 12 is a section on line 12 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken through the casing of the cut-off valve at the joint. Fig. 14 is asection on line 14 14 of Fig. 13.

As shown in said drawings, said engine comprises an annular steam-chamber the bore of which describes a true circle and, as shown, is circular in cross-section and of uniform size, though obviously the bore may be of any desired shape in cross-section. Said chamber is formed by rigidly bolting together, as shown, two supplemental shells of cast metal, (indicated by A and A',) which are provided on their outer periphery with radially-direct- -ed flanges c a', ground on their inner faces to afford a tight joint and through which extend the bolts c2, adapted to secure said shells together. Said shells are provided with oppositely-facing shoulders c3 a4, between which, instead of meeting at their inner peripheries, is a narrow passage or channel of uniform width opening into the bore of the chamber. Integral with said shoulders a3 are the flanges a5 a6, which are directed toward the axis or main shaft, as more clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and are provided on their free edges with inwardly-directed flanges a7 as, respectively, thereby forming an annular recess or channel in each shell-section between said flanges a7 as and the shoulders a3 a4.

Similar uprights or frame members B2 B3 are rigidly supported upon any preferred bed, and a main delivery-shaft B is journaled thereon concentric with the shell, which, as shown, is rigidly secured to the frame member B2 by means hereinafter described. Rigidly secured on the shaft B, as'shown by a key b, is a wheel B, provided with a peripheral rib b, fitting closely in and closing the channel between the shoulders c3 of the steam-chamber. The rim of said wheel projects laterally beyond said rib into said channels in the anges c5 c, bearing against said shoulders a3 fand atfordingajoint therewith. Said projecting edges of the rim (indicated by b2 3) engage closely between the anges a5 a and the contacting faces of the rib and periphery of said wheel, and the shoulders and anges of said chamber are ground to form true IOO Z3 of the rim is less than the width of `thean` nular recesses in Vthe flanges a5 c in which they are seated, and the remainder of--said recesses form a seat for the packing Z* of any desired kind. Said packing extends outwardly over the inner faces of the flangesaf, as and 1s held 1n place by compression rings or plates Z 55, which are adjustably secured upon the shoulders a7 Z8 by means of t'hebolts b and extend inwardly from said shouldersinto close proximity vwiththe, rim. Rigid'ly secured upon the rib 'Zi' of the wheel B is'the -piston-head'C, shaped to fit close] y withi-n'the bore of -said steam-chamber and which v'may beof any-desired construction,but, as 'herein shown, comprises 'the end sections c Aand c', each provided with an outwardly-directed base c2, which fits closely upon the rib L71 of the wheel and is rigidly engaged vthereon by inea-ns of the bolts 03. The end 'section c' is provided with van inwardly-directed integral flange c4, concentric with the V"bore Iof said chamber and which affords a seat for the pis- :ton-rings 05. Said piston-ringsmaybeof any desired `material and construction. As V4herein shown, however,'they are ithe ordina-rymeta'l- -lic packing-ringsand areof a sizesuiicient'to 4fit closely within the bore of said chamber. A bolt c extends axially through said end sections and rigidly binds `them together and holds the piston-ring c5 rigidly in place. Said piston is adapted to revolve in either direction, and for the purpose o'f admitting steam at either end of the piston, as may "be desired, the shell A of the steam-chamber is provided with two steam-inletports D and D near the top and a little 'to onel side of the center thereof, into which are respectively connected 'the supply-pipesd CZ. 'Said supply-pipes lead upwardlyand are connected vin the main supply-pipe D2, vas lshown in `Figs.

2-and 3, and provided each with "a throttle-- valve Z2 cl3, yadapted to close either of said ports while zthe steam is passing 'through the other. The pipe D2 for convenience is also provided with a throttle-valve (Z4, which 'for convenience will be called the mai-n throttle-valve, by -means of which the supply vof steam may be cut off should it become ynecessary. Connected in said pipe Dzbetwe'enthe main throttle Z4 and throttles Z2 Z3 -is a ydouble-acting governing-valve E, comprising, las shown in Figs. 1l and 12, a casing E, closed vat the rear and adapted at its sides for connection in said supply-pipe D?" and the supply-pipes Zand d', affording ports c c. Within said casing E is a closely-fitting 'rotative valve-sleeve e4, provided with a ltransverse aperture adapted to register with the ports -e e when said sleeve is in one position fandto close'sa'id Vports when lin another position. A tubularfvalve-s'tem e",integral with saidsleeve,

sleeve e4.

y'determi-*ned speed lof rotation.

extends outwardly through la gland e3 on the end of said casing.

Within the valve-sleeve e* is a closely-f1tting lrotative yvalve-closure e, provided with atransve-rse aperture adapted when the closure is in one position to register with the ports ce and with the apertures in the valve- Said rvalve-sleeve @4 and valve-closure es are adapted to close or partly close said ports by rotation of either the valve-closure e yor `valve-sleeve e* with respect to each other. valve-closure and extends outwardly through 'the valve-'stem efand is lprovided on its outer end with fa crank-arm es.

RigidlyseCu-red Vupon the :shaft B below lthe crank-arm es is an eccentric f, provided with 'a yoke f', on which is an upwardly-extending 'connectin'g--rod f2, which yis Apivotally -iengaged to 'the crank-arms, as more clearly shown Iin Fi'g.'2,-andwhich acts at each revo- A valve-stern @7 is connected with said vvlution yof vsaid shaft to v-pa'rtl y rotate the valveclosure e, thereby closing the ports ec'. Any desired governi-ng means may be used for automatically Ioperating the Valve E 'to Acut off the-steamwhen the 'engine lhas reached a pre- As shown, however, an upwardly-extending bracket 'Gr vis yrigidly engaged on the frame member B2 land is. provided with suitable bearings gg,

in which is journaled an upright shaft g'.

Said shaft is' provided with a collar g2, rigidly Vengaged thereon, ^which Abears on vthe upper surfaceof one `of 'said 'bearings -g g and `holds said shaft fromllongitudinalmovement. The lower 'end of said shaft is provided with a beveled gear g3, which lmeshes with a similar .gear j74 upon one end of `'the horizontal -shaft g5, which is journal'ed in suitable bearing Vg, carried upon said bracket, and provided with a "pulley 77, adapted to yreceive the drivingbelt 679, trained l'over a similar pulley g8, secured on the shaft B'. On the upper end of lthe xshaft g" is a vgovernor G of fan'y preferred 'form -of construction, but which rin the drawings is shown as 'embracing a xed collar g,

secured at the "top of the shaft g, a sliding IIO- collar g1", connected with `the collar Q13 by means of the weighted toggle-arms g14 vin a familiar manner and comprising a centrifugal governor. Said collarylo is provided with a peripheral groove, 'in which engages the '-forked'end of therod g, which is `-pivotally connected with an arm Q12, rigidly engaged on the valve-stem e5, -so that when the collar glo is Araised by the action of the centrifugal gov- 'ernorfthe valve-sleeve e* is ypartly rotated, with the effect of cutting o the steam in the valve E.

A'()pening through the shell-section A, as

in themain-ou'tlet-pipeHz. Said outlet-pipes IZO oli' valve.

/L L' are each provided with a valve ft2 h3, 1 case may be, is opened to admit steam behind adapted to close said pipe.

As above described, said engine is adapted to operate in either direction, and for the purpose of turning the steam in the direction of the travel of the piston a cut-off valve I is provided both between the inlet-ports D D' and the outlet-ports H and H'. Said valve,as shown,is aslide-valve comprising a plate I', shaped to seat in a complemental recess in said chamber and in its closed position afording a partition between the ports and complete closure forsaid chamber, asshown in Fig. 14. The shell-section A is provided with an outwardly-opening pipe connection which affords connection with the valve-casingz'2. Said valve-casingof which the pipe connection t' is a part, is provided with oppositely-disposed longitudinal grooves in which said valve-plate I' reciprocates. The end of said valve-casing is apertured to receive the valve-stem 3 and is provided with a suitable gland 5, aifording means for packing around said stem. Any desired means may be provided for operating said cut-ofiI valve. As shown, however, aframe or standard J is rigidly secured upon the bed beneath the valve-casing 2 and is provided with an upwardly-extending arm j, havinga laterally curved and upturned arm j'. On the upper end of said arm j' is pivotally secured a bellcrank lever, one arm je of which is slotted and is pivotally connected with the outer end of the valve-stem 3. A lever f3 is pivotally secured upon the arm j' of the standard, one arm of which is connected with the arm j* of the bell-crank by means of a link f5. The other arm of said lever f is provided with a cam-roller j, which is adapted to track upon a cam J', rigidly secured upon the shaft B'. Said cam J' is provided with a cam-teat j', adapted to engage the cam-roll j and throw the inner end of the leverj3 upwardly,thereby operating the bell-crank and opening the cut- The inner end of said lever f3 is also provided with a downwardly-extending connecting-rod K, pivoted thereon, the lower end of which is pivoted to the stem c of the plunger contained in a dash-pot K' of any desired construction.

Said steam-chamber may be secured upon the frame in any desired manner. As shown, however, the casing A' is provided with a plurality of outwardly-directed lugs L, adapted to be rigidly -bolted upon similar iianged lugs L','integral with or Vsecured to the frame member B2.

The operation is as follows: The valve I being held normally closed by means of the dash-pot K', steam entering from either of the supply-pipes (l d' must travel in a direction away from said cut-off valve, and this determines the direction of travel of the piston. In whichever direction it is desired to operate said engine the supply-pipe d or d', as the the piston and the other supply-pipe closed. The outlet-port H or H' on the side ofthe valve I opposite from the open inlet is opened, and steam entering behind the piston drives it around the steam-chamber and past the open exhaust-port, where the spent steam escapes. The momentum acquired by the piston carries it forwardly, and the cam J' is so situated upon the shaft D' that the teatj7 operates the lever J3, the bell-crank, and the attached valve I just before the piston reaches said valve and holds it open until the piston has passed. When the roller j passes from the cam-teatj7 the valve again immediately closes. The eccentricfis so situated upon the shaft D' that the valve E is closed while the piston is passing the exhaust-port and until the valve I is closed behind the piston, thereby preventing any waste of pressure through the exhaustports. Should the speed at any time become too great, the governor G' automatically actuates the valve-sleeve tf and cuts off the steam.

A suitable drive-wheel M is rigidly engaged upon the shaft B', by means of which the power generated by said engine may be transmitted to any desired point.

Obviously an engine constructed in accordance with my invention is very simple both in structure and in operation and will not get out of repair as easily as a more complicated device.

Obviously many details of construction may be varied without departing from the principles of this invention.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a device of the class described an annular steam-chamber, a piston therein, ashaft, means operatively connecting said piston with said shaft. a cut-0E valve, a cam on said shaft and toggle means connected with said valve and operated by said cam adapted to operate the cut-off valve.

2. In a device of the class described the combinationY with a rigidly-supported annular steam-chamber havinga peripheral opening in the inner periphery thereof, a driving-shaft extending axially of said chamber, a piston engaged thereon and movable in said chamber, inlet and outlet ports, a valve adapted to direct steam in either direction in said chamber, a cam on said shaft and toggle means engaged with said valve and operated by said cam adapted to open and close said valve for the piston to pass.

3. Inadevice of the class described the combination with a base, of an annular steamchamber rigidly secured thereon and open at its inner periphery, a shaft journaled in said base and extending axially of said chamber, a wheel thereon closing the opening in said chamber, a piston rigidly engaged on said wheel and fitting in the bore of said chamber, inlet and outlet ports, a valve adapted to in- ICO IIO

termittently close the inlet` means engaging' on the shaft adapted to operate said valves a cut-off valve and a bell-crank connected therewith adapted to operate the same.

4. In adevice of the class described the combination with a hase, of an annular steamchamber rigidly secured thereon and open on its inner periphery and having two inlet and two outlet ports, a drivingfshaft journaled in said base axially of said chamber, a wheel rigidly secured on said shaft and adapted to rotate in the peripheral opening of said chamber, packing means about the periphery of said wheel, apiston shaped to conform to the bore of said chamber and rigidly secured upon the periphery of said wheel, a valve in said chamber positioned with an outlet and an inlet port on each side the same, automatic means for retracting said valve to permit the piston to pass, valves in said inlet and outlet ports adapting said piston to be driven in either direction and a governor acting automatically to cut off the steam-supply. i

5. In a device of the class described an annular steamchamber, a piston shaped to fit in the bore thereof and adapted for continuous travel in either direction therein,a valve adapted to reciprocate through one wall of said chamber, a plurality of valved inlet and outlet ports adapted to admit steam on one side of said valve and discharge it on the other` a lever pivotally engaged on said valve, a cam carried on said shaft and adapted to engage said lever and automatically open the valve to allow said piston to pass, means for automatically closing said inlet during a part of the revolution of said piston, and a governor adapted to cut off the steam at a predetermined rate of speed.

6. In a reversible rotary engine an annular steam-chamber, aclosely-iitting piston therein adapted for continuous travel in either direction, means for admitting steam at either end of said piston comprising a reciprocating valve a bell-crank lever engaged thereon and a cam operatively engaged on said lever, a valved inlet and a valved outlet on each side of said valve, automatic means for operating said reciprocating valve, automatically-operated means acting to cut olf the steam during a portion of each revolution of the piston and a governor acting to cut off the steam at a predetermined rate of speed of the piston.

7. In a device of the class described the combination with a base, of an annular steamchamber rigidly engaged thereon and opening at its inner periphery, a radially-directed, and inwardly-recessed flange on each side of said opening, an annular plate partially closing each recess and adapted to engage packing therein, a shaft journaled in said base axially of said chamber, a wheel rigidly engaged on said shaft and adapted to rotate with its periphery seated in said opening and closing the same, means affording a packing, a piston rigidly engaged on said wheel and means for driving said piston in either direction.-

8. In a rotary engine a steam-chamber provided with a channel on its inner periphery, flanges thereon having recesses on their inner faces adapted to receive packing material, and annular plates adjustably engaged on said flanges and partially closing said recesses, and adapted to compress the packing therein.

9. Inadevice of the class described the combination with a base, of an annular steamchamber rigidly engaged thereon and open at its inner periphery, a shaft extending axially of said chamber, a wheel rigidly engaged thereon with its periphery rotatively engaged in said opening, apiston-headin said chamber rotative with said wheel, avalve in said chamber, a bell-crank lever connected therewith, a cam rigidly engaged on the shaft adapted to operate said lever, a valved inlet and outlet port on each side said valve, and automatic means for cutting off the steam during 'a portion of the revolution of the piston.

l0. In a rotary engine the combination with an annular steamchamber having inlet and outlet ports, of a piston therein adapted to move in either direction, a shaft extending axially of said chamber, means connecting said piston with said shaft, a valved inlet-pipe, an eccentric connected therewith and adapted to close vsaid valve during part of each revolution of the pistons and a governor also acting to automatically close said valve. y

11. 1n a rotary engine an annular steamchamber having a plurality of valved inlet and outlet ports, of a piston therein adapted for continuous movement in either direction, a driving-shaft extending axially of said charnber and with which said piston is rigidly connected, a reciprocating valve in said chamber positioned with an inlet and an outlet port on each side thereof and acting to direct the steam in either direction, a cam on said shaft, a pivotally-supported lever in operative engagement therewith and toggle means pivotally engaged on said lever and movably engaged with said reciprocating valve.

12. In a rotary engine the combination with an annular steam-cham ber, of a shaft extendf ing axially thereof, a valve adapted to reciprocate transversely of said chamber, a pivotallysupported bell-crank engaged on said'valve, a pivotally-supported lever connected at one end with said bell-crank, a cam-follower at the opposite end thereof and a cam rigid-ly engaged on said shaft adapted to operate said levers and actuate the valve.

13. In adevice of the class described, a rigid frame, a steam chamber rigidly engaged thereon, a shaft journaled on said frame axially of said chamber, a piston, a plurality of IOO IIO

inlet; and outlet ports, cub-0H valves dwldmg scribed my name 1n bhe presence 0l bw@ aubthe chamber with an outlet and an inlet on each scribing witnesses. side thereof, means for closing inlet as the valve approaches the eut-off and earn-con- 5 trolled toggle-arms acting to operate Said out- Witnesses:

off. C. W. HILLS,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- C. M. SECKNER.

JOHN A. EATON. 

